EP0432993A2 - Tyre building apparatus - Google Patents
Tyre building apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0432993A2 EP0432993A2 EP90313393A EP90313393A EP0432993A2 EP 0432993 A2 EP0432993 A2 EP 0432993A2 EP 90313393 A EP90313393 A EP 90313393A EP 90313393 A EP90313393 A EP 90313393A EP 0432993 A2 EP0432993 A2 EP 0432993A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- segment
- centre
- former
- moving
- axially
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
- B29D30/00—Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof
- B29D30/06—Pneumatic tyres or parts thereof (e.g. produced by casting, moulding, compression moulding, injection moulding, centrifugal casting)
- B29D30/08—Building tyres
- B29D30/20—Building tyres by the flat-tyre method, i.e. building on cylindrical drums
- B29D30/24—Drums
- B29D30/244—Drums for manufacturing substantially cylindrical tyre components with cores or beads, e.g. carcasses
- B29D30/245—Drums for the single stage building process, i.e. the building-up of the cylindrical carcass and the toroidal expansion of it are realised on the same drum
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
- B29D30/00—Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof
- B29D30/06—Pneumatic tyres or parts thereof (e.g. produced by casting, moulding, compression moulding, injection moulding, centrifugal casting)
- B29D30/08—Building tyres
- B29D30/20—Building tyres by the flat-tyre method, i.e. building on cylindrical drums
- B29D30/32—Fitting the bead-rings or bead-cores; Folding the textile layers around the rings or cores
- B29D2030/3207—Positioning the beads
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
- B29D30/00—Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof
- B29D30/06—Pneumatic tyres or parts thereof (e.g. produced by casting, moulding, compression moulding, injection moulding, centrifugal casting)
- B29D30/08—Building tyres
- B29D30/20—Building tyres by the flat-tyre method, i.e. building on cylindrical drums
- B29D30/32—Fitting the bead-rings or bead-cores; Folding the textile layers around the rings or cores
- B29D2030/3221—Folding over means, e.g. bladders or rigid arms
- B29D2030/3228—Folding over means, e.g. bladders or rigid arms using one bladder acting on each side of the drum
Definitions
- This invention relates to a tyre building apparatus, particularly to a single-stage tyre building appparatus.
- the two-stage method a cylindrical carcass is built first by use of a carcass former. Thereafter, this cylindrical carcass is dismounted from the carcass former, and transferred to a shaping drum. Accordingly, the two-stage method necessitates a transfer device, which results in a building apparatus of large scale construction and inefficient operation.
- the tyre components of the carcass are liable to deform during storage. Also, there is a likelihood that the carcass deforms when transferring to the shaping drum. Consequently, the raw tyre is inferior in uniformity.
- the above- mentioned drawbacks, which the two-stage method has, are absent.
- the diameter of the conventional former is by necessity smaller than the bead diameter of the built raw tyre so as to enable the shaped raw tyre to be dismounted from the former, while in the two-stage method, a carcass former having a diameter greater than the bead diameter of a raw tyre may be used.
- the circumferential carcass ply application length is smaller in the single-stage method than in the two-stage method, so that the total volume of carcass plies used in the single-stage method is less than in the two-stage method. Consequently, in the conventional single-stage method, it has been necessary to use carcass plies having an increased cord density.
- the conventional single-stage method uses a rubber former and a bladderless former.
- the rubber former is flexible in the central area of the former.
- the bladderless former has a space in the central area. Accordingly, in these formers it is difficult to apply a pressing roller successfully over the tyre carcass with a view to giving a good adhesion between the tyre components, such as insulation rubber, carcass plies, beads, apexes, sidewall rubber and others.
- the conventional metal former includes a number of segment units each having a centre segment and opposite side segments.
- This type of former has given the following problems.
- the centre segment is liable to move away from the side segments. Consequently, the centre segment does not remain in the centre position of the former when the former is in both the axially expanded state and the axially contracted state.
- the centre segment is not positioned in the centre of the former when the tyre components are applied on the axially expanded former, the toroidal shape of the carcass is deformed in the shaping step.
- a tyre building apparatus of the present invention comprises former means including a plurality of segment units arranged around a circle and comprising at least right side segments and left side segments, an inner shaft extending through the former means, an outer hollow shaft axially slidably mounted on the inner shaft, a sleeve axially slidably mounted on the inner shaft, right guide means provided between the right side segments and the outer hollow shaft for guiding the movement of the right side segments in the radial direction and in the axial direction, left guide means provided between the left side segments and the sleeve for guiding the movement of the left side segments in the radial direction and in the axial direction, right slider means axially slidably mounted on the outer shaft, left slider means axially slidably mounted on the sleeve, a right link mechanism provided between the right guide means and the right slider means for moving the right side segments in the radial direction due to axial movement of the right slider means, and a left link mechanism provided between the left guide means and the
- the former means is set into the radially expanded state and the radially contracted state, specifically, the former means is set into the radially expanded state of making the diameter of the former means greater than the bead diameter of a tyre so as to provide a carcass ply application periphery, and the radially contracted state of making the diameter of the former means smaller so as to enable the assembled raw tyre to be dismounted.
- the tyre building apparatus of the present invention may also comprise former means including a plurality of segment units arranged in a circumference, the segment unit having a centre segment, a right side segment, and a left side segment, right moving means for moving the right side segment at least in axial directions, left moving means for moving the left side segment at least in axial directions, and centre segment support means for supporting the centre segment in a central position of the former means, the centre segment support means including an axially extended rod attached to one of the side segment moving means, a block radially movably attached to the centre segment and slidably supported by the axially extended rod, a first biasing member provided on the block for biasing the centre segment in an inner radial direction so that the centre segment comes into contact with the right side segment and the left side segment, and a second biasing member provided between one of the side segment means and the block for biasing the block toward the other side segment when both side segments are moved closer to each other.
- former means including a plurality of segment units arranged in a
- the tyre building apparatus comprises a cylindrical former 4, an inner shaft 5, an outer shaft 6, a cylindrical sleeve 100, and sliders 8.
- the former 4 includes a plurality of segment units 3 which are arranged in a circle to form a hollow cylinder.
- Each segment unit 3 comprises a rigid centre segment 1 made of metal, plastics, or the like, and a pair of rigid side segments 2 made of metal, plastics or the like.
- the inner shaft 5 is placed in the former 4.
- the outer shaft 6 is in the form of a hollow cylinder and axially movably mounted on the inner shaft 5.
- the sleeve 100 is axially movably mounted on the inner shaft 5 so that the outer shaft 6 and the sleeve 100 can be moved towards and away from each other in the axial direction.
- the sliders 8 are axially movable on the sleeve 100 and the outer shaft 6 respectively.
- Each slider 8 caries a turn-up bladder 10, a pressing device 11 for pressing radially outwardly the turn-up bladder 10 against the bead ring around which side end portions of the carcass have been turned up.
- the outer shaft 6 and the sleeve 100 carry a guide mechanism 7, and a centre segment support mechanism 12 for moving the centre segment 1 in the radial direction following radial movement of the side segments 2.
- the guide mechanisms 7 are provided between one side portion of the former 4 and the sleeve 100, and between the other side portion of the former 4 and the outer shaft 6.
- a link mechanism 9 is provided between the guide mechanism 7 and the slider 8 for moving the side segment 2 in the radial direction. The link mechanism 9 is actuated by axial movement of the slider 8.
- the former 4 can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction as well as in the radial direction.
- the shoulder portions 13 of the former 4 can be moved towards and away from each other in the axial direction and the overall diameter of the former 4 can be changed.
- the inner shaft 5 is rotatably supported in a support frame 101.
- the sleeve 100 is fixedly mounted on the inner shaft 5.
- the outer shaft 6 is axially slidably mounted on the inner shaft 5.
- Indicated at 105, 106 are screw shafts for driving the sleeve 100 and the outer shaft 6.
- the screw shafts 105, 106 each have two screw sections which have opposite thread directions to each other.
- the screw shafts 105, 106 are driven by a motor unit 103.
- Indicated by 102 is a drive motor for the outer shaft 6 and the inner shaft 5 fixed with the sleeve 100.
- Shown by 104 is a bead setting device for setting a bead ring to a side end portion of the former.
- the centre segment 1 of the segment unit 3 is in the form of an arc in a circumferential direction. Also, the centre segment 1 is formed with tapered faces 14 in the opposite end portions.
- the side segment 2 is in the form of the same arc as the centre segment 1. Accordingly, the circumferential length of the cylinder made of the side segments is the same as that of the cylinder made of the centre segments. Also, the side segment 2 is formed with a vertical face 15 in the outside end portion, and a horizontal face 17 and a tapered face 18 in the inside end portion 16. The side segments and the centre segment have such axial lengths that the centre segment will not move away from the side segments so as not to damage the carcass when the side segments move to and away from each other.
- the sleeve 100 is fixedly attached to the inner shaft 5.
- the outer shaft 6 is axially movably mounted on the inner shaft 5 which is supported at one end by the support frame 101. The sleeve 100 and the outer shaft 6 are moved closer to and away from each other by driving the screw shafts 105 and 106 in the predetermined direction with the motor unit 103.
- the guide mechanism 7 guides the movement of the side segment 2 in a radial direction and allows the side segment 2 to move in the axial direction in accordance with axial movements of the outer shaft 6.
- the guide mechanism 7 includes a block 21 fixedly attached to the underside of the side segment 2, a block 22 fixedly attached to the outer shaft 6, and a linear guide member 23 provided between the block 21 and the block 22.
- a cylindrical mechanism 24 has a ring piston 25 fixedly attached to the outer shaft 6 (or the sleeve 100).
- the cylinder 24 has a hydraulic passage 26.
- the slider 8 is moved in the axial direction by feeding and discharging hydraulic pressure to and from a chamber 27 defined by the cylinder tube, the fixed ring piston 25, and the outer shaft 6 (or the sleeve 100).
- the slider 8 includes a body 30 having a peripheral wall 28 and an inner wall 29, and an outer wall 31 defined by a cover plate 32 and forms the cylindrical tube of the cylinder mechanism 24.
- the slider 8 has an annular recess 33 defined by a flange 37 formed on the peripheral wall 28, and a block 34.
- the pressing device 11 is provided in the annular recess 33.
- the turn-up bladder 10 is attached to the slider with its inside end portion 10a held between the blocks 34, 35, and its outside end portion 10b held between the flange 37 and a block 36.
- the pressing device 11 includes a resilient ring 38 and a plurality of pressing members 39 placed on the resilient ring 38.
- the resilient ring 38 is radially expanded so as to allow the pressing member 39 to press the bladder 10 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1.
- the bladder 10 pressed by the pressing device 11 is illustrated by phantom lines.
- the pressing member 39 is kept from moving in a radially outward direction by a projection 40 formed on an outer portion of the flange 37, and a projection 41 formed on the pressing member 39.
- the pressing member 39 is formed with a projection 42 made in contact with the block 34.
- Indicated at S is a spring for urging the pressing member 39 in an inner radial direction.
- the link mechanism 9 connects the slider 8 with the guide mechanism 7.
- One end 9a of the link mechanism 9 is pivotably attached to the slider 8.
- the other end 9b of the link mechanism 9 is pivotably attached to the block 21 of the guide mechanism 7.
- both ends 9a and 9b of the link mechanism 9 are formed with holes 43 and 44.
- a pivot 45 provided on the slider 8 is inserted in the hole 43.
- a pivot 46 provided on the block 21 is inserted in the hole 44.
- Indicated at 47, 48 are bushes mounted on the pivots 45, 46 respectively.
- the segment units 3 are grouped into two types A and B in respect of circumferential lengths, specifically, type A having a long circumferential length and type B having a short circumferential length.
- Type A segment units and type B segment units are arranged alternatively in the circumferential direction.
- a link mechanism 9 for type A segment units has a longer link member than the link mechanism 9 for type B segment units so that when the former 4 is contracted in the radial direction, type A segment units move into positions radially outside the positions of type B segment units.
- the centre segment support mechanism 12 includes a block 50 attached to the underside of the centre segment 1, springs 49 mounted on the block 50 for pushing the centre segment 1 radially inward, and springs 51 for pushing the block 50 in the direction of the arrow.
- the block 50 is formed with a pair of projections 52.
- the projections 52 each have holes 60 through which two horizontal rods 53 are inserted respectively.
- One end 53a of the horizontal rod 53 is supported by the block 21.
- the projections 52 are axially slidable on the roads 53 respectively.
- the springs 51 are provided on the respective rods 53 between the block 21 and the projections 52.
- the block 55 is attached to the centre segment 1 with a screw 65.
- the block 50 has a body 64 formed with two holes 61.
- Two stems 54 are passed through the respective holes 61 and screwed into the block 55.
- the springs 49 are mounted on the respective stems 54. Accordingly, the block body 50 is allowed to move in the radial direction with respect to the centre segment 1, but is not allowed to move in the axial direction.
- the centre segment is pulled radially inward and comes into contact with the side segments from the outside.
- the former 4 is changed from the axially expanded state shown in Figure 1, where the respective outer surfaces 19, 20 of the centre segment 1 and the side segments 2 from a continous surface, to the axially contracted state shown in Figure 2, where the sleeve 100 and the outer shaft 6 are moved closer to each other. Consequently, both sliders 8 come closer to each other.
- the centre segment 1 and side segments 2 of the segment unit 3 are in the state shown in Figure 4A.
- the block 50 of the centre segment support mechanism 12 is pushed in the direction of arrows X and Y.
- the left side segment 2 pushes the centre segment 1 in the direction of the arrow X′, against the pushing force of the springs 51, so that the other end portion 63 of the centre segment 1 moves over the right side segment 2.
- This tyre building apparatus is used to build a raw tyre as follows.
- the former 4 is set in the axially expanded state with an axially long length and the radially expanded state, that is, the state shown in Figure 1.
- the diameter FD of the former is greater than the bead diameter BD of the tyre.
- carcass plies 109 are applied to form a cylindrical carcass 58.
- each of the bead rings 57 having apexes is set on the end face 15 of the side segment 2 through the turn down carcass by the bead setting device 104.
- the opposite end portions of the carcass 58 are turned up around the bead ring 57 by supllying air or another fluid into the turn-up bladders 10 to cause them to expand.
- the sleeve 100 and the outer shaft 6 are moved closer to each other.
- air or another fluid is supplied into the cylindrical carcass 58 so that it is expanded into a toroidal shape until the upper portion of the carcass 58 is united with a breaker tread assembly 108.
- the breaker tread assembly 108 is disposed in an axially intermediate position of the former 4 and surrounding carcass 58.
- the tyre building apparatus has the following advantages:
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Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a tyre building apparatus, particularly to a single-stage tyre building appparatus.
- Conventionally, there have been two methods of building raw tyres, particularly radial tyres. One is a single-stage method. The other is a two-stage method.
- In the two-stage method, a cylindrical carcass is built first by use of a carcass former. Thereafter, this cylindrical carcass is dismounted from the carcass former, and transferred to a shaping drum. Accordingly, the two-stage method necessitates a transfer device, which results in a building apparatus of large scale construction and inefficient operation. In addition, the tyre components of the carcass are liable to deform during storage. Also, there is a likelihood that the carcass deforms when transferring to the shaping drum. Consequently, the raw tyre is inferior in uniformity.
- In the conventional single-stage method the above- mentioned drawbacks, which the two-stage method has, are absent. However, in the conventional single-stage method, in which the carcass building and the toroidal shaping are carried out on the same drum, it is very difficult to provide sufficient space to expand and contract the diameter of the former. For this reason, the diameter of the conventional former is by necessity smaller than the bead diameter of the built raw tyre so as to enable the shaped raw tyre to be dismounted from the former, while in the two-stage method, a carcass former having a diameter greater than the bead diameter of a raw tyre may be used. Accordingly, the circumferential carcass ply application length is smaller in the single-stage method than in the two-stage method, so that the total volume of carcass plies used in the single-stage method is less than in the two-stage method. Consequently, in the conventional single-stage method, it has been necessary to use carcass plies having an increased cord density.
- Furthermore, the conventional single-stage method uses a rubber former and a bladderless former. The rubber former is flexible in the central area of the former. The bladderless former has a space in the central area. Accordingly, in these formers it is difficult to apply a pressing roller successfully over the tyre carcass with a view to giving a good adhesion between the tyre components, such as insulation rubber, carcass plies, beads, apexes, sidewall rubber and others.
- In the conventional single-stage method, there has also been used a comb-tooth type metal former. In this type of former, a rubber covering is necessary to fill the gaps between comb-tooth segments in the expanded state.
- Also, the conventional metal former includes a number of segment units each having a centre segment and opposite side segments. This type of former has given the following problems. When the side segments are moved nearer to each other, the centre segment is liable to move away from the side segments. Consequently, the centre segment does not remain in the centre position of the former when the former is in both the axially expanded state and the axially contracted state. Also, due to the fact that the centre segment is not positioned in the centre of the former when the tyre components are applied on the axially expanded former, the toroidal shape of the carcass is deformed in the shaping step.
- Furthermore, in the conventional single-stage method, sidewall rubbers are turned up around the bead rings together with the overhang portions of the carcass on the drum. Accordingly, the sidewall rubbers are liable to slide out of the position, which consequently impairs the uniformity of the tyre.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a single-stage tyre building apparatus which is free from the above-mentioned drawbacks of both the single-stage method and the two-stage method but has the advantages of both.
- Accordingly a tyre building apparatus of the present invention comprises former means including a plurality of segment units arranged around a circle and comprising at least right side segments and left side segments, an inner shaft extending through the former means, an outer hollow shaft axially slidably mounted on the inner shaft, a sleeve axially slidably mounted on the inner shaft, right guide means provided between the right side segments and the outer hollow shaft for guiding the movement of the right side segments in the radial direction and in the axial direction, left guide means provided between the left side segments and the sleeve for guiding the movement of the left side segments in the radial direction and in the axial direction, right slider means axially slidably mounted on the outer shaft, left slider means axially slidably mounted on the sleeve, a right link mechanism provided between the right guide means and the right slider means for moving the right side segments in the radial direction due to axial movement of the right slider means, and a left link mechanism provided between the left guide means and the left slider means for moving the left side segment in the radial direction by means of an axial movement of the left slider means, whereby the outer shaft and the sleeve, the right slider means, and the left slider means are respectively moved closer to or away from each other so as to set the former means into an axially expanded state, a radially expanded state, an axially contracted state, or a radially contracted state.
- With the above-mentioned construction, when the right slider means and the left slider means are moved closer to and away from each other together with the outer shaft and the sleeve, the right and left side segments are moved in axial directions following the axial movements of both sliders, so that the former means is set into the axially expanded state and the axially contracted state. Further, when the right and left slider means are moved in axial directions, the right and left side segments are moved in the radial direction, so that the former means is set into the radially expanded state and the radially contracted state, specifically, the former means is set into the radially expanded state of making the diameter of the former means greater than the bead diameter of a tyre so as to provide a carcass ply application periphery, and the radially contracted state of making the diameter of the former means smaller so as to enable the assembled raw tyre to be dismounted.
- The tyre building apparatus of the present invention may also comprise former means including a plurality of segment units arranged in a circumference, the segment unit having a centre segment, a right side segment, and a left side segment, right moving means for moving the right side segment at least in axial directions, left moving means for moving the left side segment at least in axial directions, and centre segment support means for supporting the centre segment in a central position of the former means, the centre segment support means including an axially extended rod attached to one of the side segment moving means, a block radially movably attached to the centre segment and slidably supported by the axially extended rod, a first biasing member provided on the block for biasing the centre segment in an inner radial direction so that the centre segment comes into contact with the right side segment and the left side segment, and a second biasing member provided between one of the side segment means and the block for biasing the block toward the other side segment when both side segments are moved closer to each other.
- With the above-mentioned construction, when both side segments are synchronously moved closer to each other, the centre segment and one side segment are together pushed to the other side segment owing to the fact that the block is biased toward the other side segment by the second biasing member, and the centre segment is biased in the inner radial direction by the first biasing member. When both side segments are moved further closer to each other, the inner side of the other side segment comes into contact with the block. When both side segments are moved further closer to each other, the one side segment is moved to the other side segment against the second biasing member until the inner side of the one side segment comes into contact with the block. Accordingly, the centre segment remains in the centre position of the former without moving away from both side segments when both side segments are in the closest positions.
- This and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and drawings by example only, in which:―
- Figure 1 is an enlarged sectional view showing a main portion of a tyre building apparatus according to the present invention with the former axially and radially expanded;
- Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the main portion with the former being axially contracted and radially expanded;
- Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the main portion, the former being axially and radially contracted;
- Figures 4A, 4B and 4C are diagrams showing stages by which the segment unit of the former is axially contracted;
- Figure 5 is a plan view showing a centre segment support mechanism;
- Figure 6 is a side view of the centre segment support mechanism;
- Figure 7 is a side view showing the former radially expanded and radially contracted;
- Figure 8 is a sectional view showing a driving mechanism; and
- Figures 9A to 9G are schematic diagrams showing stages in which a raw tyre is built by use of the tyre building apparatus of the present invention.
- The tyre building apparatus comprises a cylindrical former 4, an
inner shaft 5, anouter shaft 6, acylindrical sleeve 100, andsliders 8. - The former 4 includes a plurality of
segment units 3 which are arranged in a circle to form a hollow cylinder. Eachsegment unit 3 comprises arigid centre segment 1 made of metal, plastics, or the like, and a pair ofrigid side segments 2 made of metal, plastics or the like. Theinner shaft 5 is placed in the former 4. Theouter shaft 6 is in the form of a hollow cylinder and axially movably mounted on theinner shaft 5. Also, thesleeve 100 is axially movably mounted on theinner shaft 5 so that theouter shaft 6 and thesleeve 100 can be moved towards and away from each other in the axial direction. - The
sliders 8 are axially movable on thesleeve 100 and theouter shaft 6 respectively. Eachslider 8 caries a turn-up bladder 10, apressing device 11 for pressing radially outwardly the turn-upbladder 10 against the bead ring around which side end portions of the carcass have been turned up. Theouter shaft 6 and thesleeve 100 carry aguide mechanism 7, and a centresegment support mechanism 12 for moving thecentre segment 1 in the radial direction following radial movement of theside segments 2. Theguide mechanisms 7 are provided between one side portion of the former 4 and thesleeve 100, and between the other side portion of the former 4 and theouter shaft 6. Alink mechanism 9 is provided between theguide mechanism 7 and theslider 8 for moving theside segment 2 in the radial direction. Thelink mechanism 9 is actuated by axial movement of theslider 8. - Accordingly, the former 4 can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction as well as in the radial direction. In other words, the
shoulder portions 13 of the former 4 can be moved towards and away from each other in the axial direction and the overall diameter of the former 4 can be changed. - As shown in Figure 8, the
inner shaft 5 is rotatably supported in asupport frame 101. Thesleeve 100 is fixedly mounted on theinner shaft 5. Theouter shaft 6 is axially slidably mounted on theinner shaft 5. Indicated at 105, 106 are screw shafts for driving thesleeve 100 and theouter shaft 6. Thescrew shafts screw shafts motor unit 103. Indicated by 102 is a drive motor for theouter shaft 6 and theinner shaft 5 fixed with thesleeve 100. Shown by 104 is a bead setting device for setting a bead ring to a side end portion of the former. - The
centre segment 1 of thesegment unit 3 is in the form of an arc in a circumferential direction. Also, thecentre segment 1 is formed with tapered faces 14 in the opposite end portions. Theside segment 2 is in the form of the same arc as thecentre segment 1. Accordingly, the circumferential length of the cylinder made of the side segments is the same as that of the cylinder made of the centre segments. Also, theside segment 2 is formed with avertical face 15 in the outside end portion, and a horizontal face 17 and atapered face 18 in theinside end portion 16. The side segments and the centre segment have such axial lengths that the centre segment will not move away from the side segments so as not to damage the carcass when the side segments move to and away from each other. - As shown in Figure 1, when the former 4 is expanded in the axial direction to set in an axially expanded state, the tapered faces 14 of the
centre segment 1 come into contact with the tapered faces 18 of theside segments 2, and theouter surface 19 of thecentre segment 1 and theouter surfaces 20 of theside segments 2 come to form a continuous surface without any steps. - When the
side segments 2 are moved closer to each other in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1, i.e. in the axial direction to set in an axially contracted state, thecentre segment 1 comes over and overlaps with theside segments 2 as shown in Figure 2. Thesleeve 100 is fixedly attached to theinner shaft 5. Theouter shaft 6 is axially movably mounted on theinner shaft 5 which is supported at one end by thesupport frame 101. Thesleeve 100 and theouter shaft 6 are moved closer to and away from each other by driving thescrew shafts motor unit 103. - The
guide mechanism 7 guides the movement of theside segment 2 in a radial direction and allows theside segment 2 to move in the axial direction in accordance with axial movements of theouter shaft 6. Theguide mechanism 7 includes ablock 21 fixedly attached to the underside of theside segment 2, ablock 22 fixedly attached to theouter shaft 6, and alinear guide member 23 provided between theblock 21 and theblock 22. - A cylindrical mechanism 24 has a
ring piston 25 fixedly attached to the outer shaft 6 (or the sleeve 100). The cylinder 24 has ahydraulic passage 26. Theslider 8 is moved in the axial direction by feeding and discharging hydraulic pressure to and from achamber 27 defined by the cylinder tube, the fixedring piston 25, and the outer shaft 6 (or the sleeve 100). - Furthermore, the
slider 8 includes abody 30 having aperipheral wall 28 and aninner wall 29, and anouter wall 31 defined by acover plate 32 and forms the cylindrical tube of the cylinder mechanism 24. Theslider 8 has anannular recess 33 defined by aflange 37 formed on theperipheral wall 28, and ablock 34. Thepressing device 11 is provided in theannular recess 33. The turn-upbladder 10 is attached to the slider with itsinside end portion 10a held between theblocks outside end portion 10b held between theflange 37 and a block 36. - The
pressing device 11 includes aresilient ring 38 and a plurality of pressingmembers 39 placed on theresilient ring 38. Theresilient ring 38 is radially expanded so as to allow the pressingmember 39 to press thebladder 10 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1. In Figure 1, thebladder 10 pressed by thepressing device 11 is illustrated by phantom lines. The pressingmember 39 is kept from moving in a radially outward direction by aprojection 40 formed on an outer portion of theflange 37, and aprojection 41 formed on the pressingmember 39. Also, the pressingmember 39 is formed with aprojection 42 made in contact with theblock 34. Indicated at S is a spring for urging the pressingmember 39 in an inner radial direction. - The
link mechanism 9 connects theslider 8 with theguide mechanism 7. Oneend 9a of thelink mechanism 9 is pivotably attached to theslider 8. Theother end 9b of thelink mechanism 9 is pivotably attached to theblock 21 of theguide mechanism 7. Specifically, both ends 9a and 9b of thelink mechanism 9 are formed withholes pivot 45 provided on theslider 8 is inserted in thehole 43. Apivot 46 provided on theblock 21 is inserted in thehole 44. Indicated at 47, 48 are bushes mounted on thepivots - Accordingly, when the
slider 8 is moved axially, a pivot point 0a on theend 9a of thelink mechanism 9 is moved in an axial direction, another pivot point 0b on theend 9b of the link mechanism is moved in a radial direction. Consequently, theblock 21 is moved in a radial direction so that theside segment 2 is moved in a radial direction. - As shown in Figure 7, the
segment units 3 are grouped into two types A and B in respect of circumferential lengths, specifically, type A having a long circumferential length and type B having a short circumferential length. Type A segment units and type B segment units are arranged alternatively in the circumferential direction. Alink mechanism 9 for type A segment units has a longer link member than thelink mechanism 9 for type B segment units so that when the former 4 is contracted in the radial direction, type A segment units move into positions radially outside the positions of type B segment units. - As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the centre
segment support mechanism 12 includes ablock 50 attached to the underside of thecentre segment 1, springs 49 mounted on theblock 50 for pushing thecentre segment 1 radially inward, and springs 51 for pushing theblock 50 in the direction of the arrow. Specifically, theblock 50 is formed with a pair ofprojections 52. Theprojections 52 each have holes 60 through which twohorizontal rods 53 are inserted respectively. Oneend 53a of thehorizontal rod 53 is supported by theblock 21. Theprojections 52 are axially slidable on theroads 53 respectively. Thesprings 51 are provided on therespective rods 53 between theblock 21 and theprojections 52. - The
block 55 is attached to thecentre segment 1 with ascrew 65. Theblock 50 has abody 64 formed with twoholes 61. Two stems 54 are passed through therespective holes 61 and screwed into theblock 55. Thesprings 49 are mounted on the respective stems 54. Accordingly, theblock body 50 is allowed to move in the radial direction with respect to thecentre segment 1, but is not allowed to move in the axial direction. The centre segment is pulled radially inward and comes into contact with the side segments from the outside. - Operation of the tyre building apparatus will now be described.
- By moving the
outer shaft 6 and thesleeve 100 closer to each other, the former 4 is changed from the axially expanded state shown in Figure 1, where the respectiveouter surfaces centre segment 1 and theside segments 2 from a continous surface, to the axially contracted state shown in Figure 2, where thesleeve 100 and theouter shaft 6 are moved closer to each other. Consequently, bothsliders 8 come closer to each other. In the first stage of this contracting operation, thecentre segment 1 andside segments 2 of thesegment unit 3 are in the state shown in Figure 4A. When the side segments come closer to each other, theblock 50 of the centresegment support mechanism 12 is pushed in the direction of arrows X and Y. Consequently, as shown in Figure 4B, theleft side segment 2 comes under oneend 62 of thecentre segment 1, moving towards theright side segment 2 while sliding under thecentre segment 1. As this proceeds, thecentre segment 1 moves upward. However, theblock 50 follows the upward movement of thecentre segment 1 because theblock 50 is movable in the radial direction. - After the inside end face 16 of the
left side segment 2 comes into contact with theblock 50 as shown in Figure 4C, theleft side segment 2 pushes thecentre segment 1 in the direction of the arrow X′, against the pushing force of thesprings 51, so that theother end portion 63 of thecentre segment 1 moves over theright side segment 2. - When both
side segments 2 are further moved closer to each other, thecentre segment 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow X′ together with theleft side segment 2 while theright side segment 2 is moved towards theleft side segment 2 while sliding under thecentre segment 1. Consequently, the axial length of the former 4 is changed from L shown in Figure 1 to L′ show in Figure 2 and in both the axially contracted state and the axially expanded state (length L and L′), thecentre segment 7 is kept approximately in the centre of the former - When the
sliders 8 are moved away from each other, theside segments 2 of thesegment units 3 are moved radially inward. Consequently, the former 4 changes to a radially contracted state shown in Figure 3. In other words, the diameter of the former 4 is decreased. - This tyre building apparatus is used to build a raw tyre as follows. As shown in figure 9A, first the former 4 is set in the axially expanded state with an axially long length and the radially expanded state, that is, the state shown in Figure 1. In this state, the diameter FD of the former is greater than the bead diameter BD of the tyre. On the former 4 are applied carcass plies 109 to form a
cylindrical carcass 58. - The opposite end portions of the
carcass 58, in other words, portions overhung outward from the end faces 15 of theside segments 2, are turned down by a known turn downfinger device 110 as shown in Figure 9B. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 9C, each of the bead rings 57 having apexes is set on theend face 15 of theside segment 2 through the turn down carcass by thebead setting device 104. Thereafter, the opposite end portions of thecarcass 58 are turned up around thebead ring 57 by supllying air or another fluid into the turn-upbladders 10 to cause them to expand. - Thereafter, the fluid is drawn out from the
bladders 10. A pair ofsidewalls 107 are applied on thecarcass 58 to cover the turned-up portions as shown in Figure 9E. Subsequently, thepressing members 39 of thepressing device 11 are radially expanded so as to lock the bead portions as shown in Figure 9F. - With the bead portions locked, the
sleeve 100 and theouter shaft 6 are moved closer to each other. At the same time, air or another fluid is supplied into thecylindrical carcass 58 so that it is expanded into a toroidal shape until the upper portion of thecarcass 58 is united with abreaker tread assembly 108. Thebreaker tread assembly 108 is disposed in an axially intermediate position of the former 4 and surroundingcarcass 58. - Finally, as shown in Figure 3, the
sliders 8 are moved away from each other so as to reduce the diameter of the former 4. The toroidally shaped raw tyre is dismouted from the former 4. - From the above description, it will be seen that the tyre building apparatus has the following advantages:
- 1. When tyre components are applied on the former to form a cylindrical carcass, the former can be expanded in the radial direction as well as the axial direction, which makes it possible to provide a larger diameter of former than the bead diameter of the tyre to be built. Accordingly, although the tyre building apparatus employs a single-stage method, the tyre building apparatus makes it possible to use carcass plies whose ply cord specification is normally that which is used in two-stage tyre building. Consequently, increased productivity and improved operability can be obtained.
- 2. When a raw tyre is built, the diameter of the former can be made smaller than the bead diameter of the built raw tyre, so that the raw tyre can be dismounted from the former very easily.
- 3. Because the former diameter to which the tyre components are applied is greater than that of the conventional single-stage former, the expansion rate of carcass plies when toroidally shaped is smaller.
- 4. The tyre building apparatus can provide a rigid and flat application peripheral surface section to ensure a proper pressing operation without the use of rubber cover ring or the like. Accordingly, insulation rubber, carcass plies, bead rings, sidewall rubbers and the like can be satisfactorily, adhered to one another.
- 5. The tyre building apparatus employs a single-stage method and therefore has the advantage of producing tyres of high uniformity.
- 6. The tyre building apparatus needs less installation space and a smaller number of operators, which assures higher productivity.
- 7. The tyre building apparatus is provided with the bead pressing device. Accordingly, the turn-up bladder can be firmly pressed to the bead and the carcass expanding fluid can be kept from escaping from the carcass when shaping the carcass into the toroidal shape.
- 8. Bead rings can be set at the vertical end faces of the side segments of the former.
- 9. The centre segment does not project from the side segments when the side segments are moved closer to each other. The centre segment remains approximately at the centre position of the former in both the axially expanded state and the axially contracted state (the former length L and L′). When tyre components are applied, the centre segment stays in the centre position. In other words, centring is assured. Accordingly, no deformation of the toroidal shape of the carcass ply will occur in the shaping step. Also, the applied tyre components can be pressed to assure adhesion. Furthermore, a tyre component application periphery having no gap can be provided without using a rubber covering.
- Although the present invention has fully been described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the invention, they should be construed as being included therein.
Claims (7)
- A tyre building apparatus characterised by former means including a plurality of segment units (3) arranged around a circle and comprising at least right side segments (2) and lett side segments (2), an inner shaft (5) extending through the former means, an outer hollow shaft (6) axially slidably mounted on the inner shaft (5), a sleeve (100) axially slidably mounted on the inner shaft (5), right guide means (7) provided between the right side segments (2) and the outer hollow shaft (6) for guiding the movement of the right side segments in the radial direction and in the axial direction, left guide means (7) provided between the left side segments (2) and the sleee (100) for guiding the movement of the left side segments (2) in the radial direction ard in the axial direction, right slider means (8) axially slidably mounted on the outer shaft (6), left slider means (8) axially slidably mounted on the sleeve (100), a right link mechanism (9) provided between the right guide means (7) and the right slider means (8) for moving the right side segments (2) in the radial direction due to axial movement of the right slider means (8), and a left link mechanism (9) provided between the left guide means (7) and the left slider means (8) for moving the left side segment (2) in the radial direction by means of an axial movement of the left slider means (8), whereby the outer shaft (6) and the sleeve (100), the right slider means (8), and the left slider means (8) are respectively moved closer to or away from each other so as to set the former means into an axially expanded state, a radially expanded state, an axially contracted state, or a radially contracted state.
- A tyre building apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the right and left slider means (8) include an expandable bladder (10) for turning up a side end portion of a carcass around a bead ring (57).
- A tyre building apparatus according to claim 2 characterised in that the right and left slider means (8) further include pressing means (39) for pressing the bladder (10) to the bead ring (57) around which the side end portion of the carcass has been turned up.
- A tyre building apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the right segments (2) include a right end having a face (15) perpendicular to the axis of the inner shaft (5), and the left segments (2) include a left end having a face (15) perperdicular to the axis of the inner shaft (5).
- A tyre building apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the segment unit (3) further has a centre segment (1) further comprising centre segment support means (12) for supporting the centre segment (1) in a central portion of the former means.
- A tyre building apparatus according to claim 5 characterised in that the centre segment support means (12) includes right moving means for moving the right side segment (2) at least in the axial direction, left moving means for moving the left side (2) segment at least in the axial direction, an axially extended rod (53) attached to one of the side segment moving means, a block (50) radially movably attached to the centre segment (1) and slidably supported by the axially extended rod (53), a first biasing member provided on the block for biasing the centre segment (1) in an inner radial direction so that the centre segment (1) comes into contact with the right side segment (2) and the left side segment (2), and a second biasing member provided between one of the side segment moving means and the block (50) for biasing the block (50) toward the other side segment (2) when both side segments (2) are moved closer to each other.
- A tyre building apparatus characterised by former means including a plurality of segment units (3) arranged in a circle, the segment unit (3) having a centre segment (1), a right side segment (2) and a left side segment (2), right moving means for moving the right side segment (2) at least in the axial direction, left moving means for moving the left side segment (2) at least in the axial direction, and centre segment suport means (12) for supporting the centre segment (1) in a central position of the former means, the centre segment support means (12) including an axially extended rod (53) attached to one of the side segment moving means, a block (50) radially movably attached to the centre segment (1) and slidably supported by the axially extended rod (53), a first biasing member provided on the block (50) for biasing the centre segment (1) in an inner radial direction so that the centre segment (1) comes into contact with the right side segment (2) and the left side segment (2), and a second biasing member provided between one of the side segment moving means and the block (50) for biasing the block (50) toward the other side segment (2) when both side segments (2) are moved closer to each other.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP1325170A JPH0675931B2 (en) | 1989-12-14 | 1989-12-14 | Tire former |
JP325170/89 | 1989-12-14 | ||
JP327957/89 | 1989-12-18 | ||
JP1327957A JPH0675932B2 (en) | 1989-12-18 | 1989-12-18 | Tire building equipment |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0432993A2 true EP0432993A2 (en) | 1991-06-19 |
EP0432993A3 EP0432993A3 (en) | 1991-09-11 |
EP0432993B1 EP0432993B1 (en) | 1994-09-28 |
Family
ID=26571746
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19900313393 Expired - Lifetime EP0432993B1 (en) | 1989-12-14 | 1990-12-10 | Tyre building apparatus |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0432993B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69012964T2 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL9200920A (en) * | 1991-03-20 | 1993-12-16 | Mori Ironworks Co Ltd | TIRE BUILDING DEVICE WITH SEGMENTED DRUM. |
EP0613767A2 (en) * | 1993-03-04 | 1994-09-07 | Bridgestone Corporation | Method of forming a green tyre |
EP0639447A1 (en) * | 1993-07-14 | 1995-02-22 | Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. | A tyre former capable of expanding and contracting in an axial direction |
EP0692368A1 (en) * | 1994-07-14 | 1996-01-17 | Bridgestone Corporation | Tire-forming drum and method of manufacturing a green tire |
WO2006103434A1 (en) * | 2005-03-30 | 2006-10-05 | Wyko Tyre Technology Limited | Tyre building drum |
EP2868463A1 (en) * | 2013-10-29 | 2015-05-06 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Tire building drum |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1729780A1 (en) * | 1966-12-30 | 1972-02-10 | Pirelli | Method and device for building pneumatic tires |
US4010058A (en) * | 1975-05-16 | 1977-03-01 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Tire building drum |
FR2352661A1 (en) * | 1976-02-16 | 1977-12-23 | Zelant Gazuit | Lever system for radial extension of tyre building mandrel - to suit wide range of max. and min. carcass dia. |
EP0238788A2 (en) * | 1981-06-18 | 1987-09-30 | Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | A carcass forming drum |
-
1990
- 1990-12-10 DE DE1990612964 patent/DE69012964T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-12-10 EP EP19900313393 patent/EP0432993B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1729780A1 (en) * | 1966-12-30 | 1972-02-10 | Pirelli | Method and device for building pneumatic tires |
US4010058A (en) * | 1975-05-16 | 1977-03-01 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Tire building drum |
FR2352661A1 (en) * | 1976-02-16 | 1977-12-23 | Zelant Gazuit | Lever system for radial extension of tyre building mandrel - to suit wide range of max. and min. carcass dia. |
EP0238788A2 (en) * | 1981-06-18 | 1987-09-30 | Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | A carcass forming drum |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL9200920A (en) * | 1991-03-20 | 1993-12-16 | Mori Ironworks Co Ltd | TIRE BUILDING DEVICE WITH SEGMENTED DRUM. |
BE1005990A5 (en) * | 1991-03-20 | 1994-04-12 | Mori Ironworks Co Ltd | Device for making tires. |
EP0613767A2 (en) * | 1993-03-04 | 1994-09-07 | Bridgestone Corporation | Method of forming a green tyre |
EP0613767A3 (en) * | 1993-03-04 | 1995-03-15 | Bridgestone Corp | Method of forming a green tyre. |
EP0639447A1 (en) * | 1993-07-14 | 1995-02-22 | Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. | A tyre former capable of expanding and contracting in an axial direction |
US5490897A (en) * | 1993-07-14 | 1996-02-13 | Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. | Tire former capable of expanding and contracting in an axial direction |
EP0692368A1 (en) * | 1994-07-14 | 1996-01-17 | Bridgestone Corporation | Tire-forming drum and method of manufacturing a green tire |
WO2006103434A1 (en) * | 2005-03-30 | 2006-10-05 | Wyko Tyre Technology Limited | Tyre building drum |
EP2868463A1 (en) * | 2013-10-29 | 2015-05-06 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Tire building drum |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69012964T2 (en) | 1995-02-02 |
EP0432993A3 (en) | 1991-09-11 |
EP0432993B1 (en) | 1994-09-28 |
DE69012964D1 (en) | 1994-11-03 |
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